Friends Matthew Murphy and Hollie Morrison
TWO local students are hoping to make a difference in politics on a national scale.
Hollie Morrison, from Lisbellaw, and Matthew Murphy, Enniskillen, have both successfully ran as Fermanagh/South Tyrone representatives in UK-wide youth political organisations.
Hollie has been elected in the UK Youth parliament, while Matthew is running for the UK Youth Congress. The pair spoke to the Fermanagh Herald prior to the elections taking place.
16-year-old Hollie, a student at the Enniskillen Collegiate told the Fermanagh Herald that she first got into the UKYP through her sister, who was a member for several years.
The year 12 student said: “Maurice McLaughlin set up a Lisbellaw group of NI Youth Forum with whom I made a DVD with about community issues and debated in Stormont with.
“I enjoyed the experience very much and when I was offered the chance to run for UKYP I jumped at the chance.
“If I were to be lucky enough to be elected I would endeavour to have equal rights for all and I would love to have fair representation for everyone as many people face discrimination from their peers and in the media, for one simple reason: Some people are misinformed and don’t understand, or have been brought up with different views.”
17-year-old Matthew is a student at St Michael’s College.
“My interest in politics was sparked by participating in the Ulster Project in 2012, an experience which I’m sure many would agree is life changing. Since then I have gone ‘out of my way’ on several occasions to reach across to the other side of the community.”
Matthew also points to the G8 Summit as ‘igniting’ his interests in politics, and he was part of the G8 Youth Summit.
“The thing that encourages me to become involved in political life, above all, is frustration.
“It is having to scream at the television during the Nolan Show, and wondering how on earth the taxpayer is happy to pay the wages of many politicians who speak utter nonsense.
“I don’t often like to say that I’d like to be involved in politics, because many, including myself, do not hold local politics in high regard. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: Young people are the driving force behind change; they make up a substantial proportion of the ‘silent majority’.
He said that as a member of the Youth Congress he would ‘be able to gather these views under one banner and bring them before elected representatives’.
“When I get elected, I hope to spend a few hours a week running after MLAs and the like regarding these issues, and to be the best representative I can be for young people.
“I have already spoken to candidates from elsewhere in the country and there is a lot of talent involved, a lot of passion and willingness for change.”
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